Pau
Ma ville
Sunday, March 25, 2012
2 Month Mark!!
Five days a week, I spend every subject with the same class. I absolutely love my class. Even though I can't talk all the time, considering I'm American, they are always so nice, supportive, and they manage to include me when they can. Oh, they're really funny too! I found out that I only have 8 more weeks of school here in France, and that practically brings me to tears. The thought of leaving my class is awful. It will be a million times more difficult to leave here, than it was to leave the United States. This is because, not only the fact that I will never come back to these people, but I already know that I will become closer to these people that most of the people I knew in the USA. Most days, I'll forget I'm in France, and than one day it'll hit and I'm just so happy! The down side to school here, other than actual schoolwork(imagine that?!), is I can be very lonely sometimes. I tried to explain it one day to a couple of friends when they asked about my life here, and one kid actually laughed when I said that I'm all alone, because he didn't understand how I could be alone when they were there. Sure I have people to do things with and talk to, but I can't talk-talk to them, considering I can't say very much when I am used to being able to talk in English and have people understand me. All the same, I think they will be the group of people that I will have the hardest time saying goodbye to once I actually can get points across. Speaking of all this speaking, today is the 2 month mark and I understand a whole lot more than I did when I first came here! Still working on the talking and writing part, but I definitely understand! I also noticed how I know a lot more vocabulary. When did I ever think I would need to know the French word for 'butterfly'? Apparently, it's pretty important! Yeah, so everything is going good and I ordered American food online. I swear the French go out of their way to make sure they despise anything American that touches their lips, but McDonalds is absolutely fine. Who cannot like Dr. Pepper, peanut butter, Hershey's chocolate, or Pop-Tarts?!?! It is beyond me. Okay, I have to vacuum my room!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
I'm Happy, I'm Healthy, I'm Terrific!
"I'm Happy, I'm Healthy, I'm Terrific!" is an XC slogan, hahaha. Felt right for this post!
Today will be a month and 3 weeks that I have been in France.
I really love being here in France and I can already see and feel a difference in myself. I'm happier. Here, I'm surrounded by the French language 24/7, which is something I have always dreamed of. That alone makes me smile through most of the day and take in every moment of every of boring class. I'm becoming closer to people here, than most of the people I knew in America. Sure a had a few friends that I could call close, but within 2 months, I already know how hard it will be to leave all these people in a place where I'll have changed so much. I'm more confident, slimmer, relaxed, stronger, healthier, more outgoing, and even my skin is better! Although I still want more independence, to the point where I just live on my own, this is definitely a step up. Food has always been a challenge while I am here, because I ache for American food that I'm familiar with, even though I love French food. It's a pointless and bizarre battle with my taste buds. As I'm writing this, I can imagine my family thinking that I am flat out lying, haha. But no. Unfortunately, my family gets to listen to all of my complaints(mainly about foreign food and impossible homework), but this is mainly because I need to say it to someone. Once I've gotten out my frustration, it's much easier to know that somebody slightly understands(as much as you can without going through exchange) what exactly is bothering me. Soon, I might be able to complain in French, and therefore my parents and brothers can hear about my adventures... the good ones. Speaking of family, I'm at that stage where your home in United States isn't really your home anymore, but your house in France really isn't your home either. Basically, I'm without a home, but I don't mind. I can shape here into something I'll want to call a home, so that it will be much happier and right once I can. As a side note, I'm tired ALL THE TIME. Guess that is expected though.
The people in my class are really nice to me. They don't hate me because I suck at basketball, they try to include me in conversations that are far too difficult for me to comprehend, and they don't entirely die with laughter when I eat my meal in the wrong order - entirely. Oh, and they didn't laugh too much when I attempted speaking in Spanish for a script in class(which was a complete fail). It is also hysterical when they sing American songs and don't know the words. I'll try to upload a video to Facebook one of these days. Ummm, I've been complimented on my niceness various times, which always leaves me happy! I've had guys bother me about their sexuality at leat 6 times so far. I've skiied 6 times, as well. Way too boring for me. I slept at the neighbors house. I participated in the Journey du Mauvais Gout(sorry if this is wrong!), which is where you wear ugly clothes to school. I met up with other AFSers one weekend. I visited Lourdes and I will visit Marsaille in 2 weeks! I managed to say I have 3 balls(like on a guy) when I meant cats. Okay, for now, I am tired(like always), so I will stop writing and write again later(which normanlly means in 2 weeks! Oops, sorry! Writing is too boring these days!)! Au revoir!
Today will be a month and 3 weeks that I have been in France.
I really love being here in France and I can already see and feel a difference in myself. I'm happier. Here, I'm surrounded by the French language 24/7, which is something I have always dreamed of. That alone makes me smile through most of the day and take in every moment of every of boring class. I'm becoming closer to people here, than most of the people I knew in America. Sure a had a few friends that I could call close, but within 2 months, I already know how hard it will be to leave all these people in a place where I'll have changed so much. I'm more confident, slimmer, relaxed, stronger, healthier, more outgoing, and even my skin is better! Although I still want more independence, to the point where I just live on my own, this is definitely a step up. Food has always been a challenge while I am here, because I ache for American food that I'm familiar with, even though I love French food. It's a pointless and bizarre battle with my taste buds. As I'm writing this, I can imagine my family thinking that I am flat out lying, haha. But no. Unfortunately, my family gets to listen to all of my complaints(mainly about foreign food and impossible homework), but this is mainly because I need to say it to someone. Once I've gotten out my frustration, it's much easier to know that somebody slightly understands(as much as you can without going through exchange) what exactly is bothering me. Soon, I might be able to complain in French, and therefore my parents and brothers can hear about my adventures... the good ones. Speaking of family, I'm at that stage where your home in United States isn't really your home anymore, but your house in France really isn't your home either. Basically, I'm without a home, but I don't mind. I can shape here into something I'll want to call a home, so that it will be much happier and right once I can. As a side note, I'm tired ALL THE TIME. Guess that is expected though.
The people in my class are really nice to me. They don't hate me because I suck at basketball, they try to include me in conversations that are far too difficult for me to comprehend, and they don't entirely die with laughter when I eat my meal in the wrong order - entirely. Oh, and they didn't laugh too much when I attempted speaking in Spanish for a script in class(which was a complete fail). It is also hysterical when they sing American songs and don't know the words. I'll try to upload a video to Facebook one of these days. Ummm, I've been complimented on my niceness various times, which always leaves me happy! I've had guys bother me about their sexuality at leat 6 times so far. I've skiied 6 times, as well. Way too boring for me. I slept at the neighbors house. I participated in the Journey du Mauvais Gout(sorry if this is wrong!), which is where you wear ugly clothes to school. I met up with other AFSers one weekend. I visited Lourdes and I will visit Marsaille in 2 weeks! I managed to say I have 3 balls(like on a guy) when I meant cats. Okay, for now, I am tired(like always), so I will stop writing and write again later(which normanlly means in 2 weeks! Oops, sorry! Writing is too boring these days!)! Au revoir!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Pain, not bread!
It's been around a month since I last posted and I have some time today, so I'll write!
School & the class:
School is practically pointless for me, because I understand very little and the teachers expect me know what they are talking about. It's pretty hard to explain to them that I don't know what they are saying during class, in addition to what they are trying to tell me now. My French teacher actually told me that he would give me an easier book to read than the rest of the class, but by the same author. He ended up telling me to read Candide by Voltaire in French! Have you seen the English version!? I have my work cut out for me. Thankfully, once every two weeks, I have a biology class in English and an English language class a couple times every week. English class, right. The teacher is pretty good for a high school English teacher, but that doesn't say very much. As for the students, they are very studious(Imagine that!). They underline words and sentences with rulers, they have multi-colored pens, white-out, and glue handy. It's insane, so I just sit there and free-hand everything. The students are nice, but I'm picking up on the fact that they talk about each other behind their backs a lot. It can be dramatic, but I like watching it unfold- very French. Do not fear, I don't participate(Making us Americans look good). I went to McDonalds with the class the other day and it turns out that they eat SO much. They bought item after item, seeing as a meal wasn't enough. When they finally finished, they said they would have to eat something else at home because they were still hungry! Crazy!
Athletics
I'm starting to run again and I have a bunch of paths I can take. It's really pretty and there are loads of dirt paths with streams. I also went skiing for a week for the first time! I don't feel like elaborating, but it went well! I think the sport is a bit boring though. And guess what?! They have a swing in their yard, which I have been on a million times so far. I just can't resist the urge!
Food:
It's growing on me. I definitely want to emphasize that you should always try things twice! I have tried something and hated it, but tried it again and realized that it tastes better now. So I eat everything, unless it is guacamole! Oh, and cheese is becoming less of an enemy and I look forward eating a new type each day at dinner. Pain(I won't erase it, because I am so happy to realize that I wrote 'pain' instead of 'bread'! 'Pain' is 'bread' in French!!!!) has always been a friend and I eat it 24/7. No complaints there. Oh, and I drink tea all the time, too! And out of a bowl.
In general, I'm getting closer to my family and to the country. It's been over a month, so I'd hope so, but there is a lot more I still need to get used to. I definitely need to become more comfortable with eating when I'm hungry. It's hard understanding when I can have a snack, so I usually stick to eating at meals. Basically, there is a lot I don't understand, but hopefully everything will be cleared up once I improve my French more! Well, anyways, I'm having a great time here and maybe I'll talk about the actual culture soon! But I ran today(with my host mom... and it was hard), so I'm tired. And it's almost dinner time(at 8:00PM), so I'm hungry. Talk soon!
School & the class:
School is practically pointless for me, because I understand very little and the teachers expect me know what they are talking about. It's pretty hard to explain to them that I don't know what they are saying during class, in addition to what they are trying to tell me now. My French teacher actually told me that he would give me an easier book to read than the rest of the class, but by the same author. He ended up telling me to read Candide by Voltaire in French! Have you seen the English version!? I have my work cut out for me. Thankfully, once every two weeks, I have a biology class in English and an English language class a couple times every week. English class, right. The teacher is pretty good for a high school English teacher, but that doesn't say very much. As for the students, they are very studious(Imagine that!). They underline words and sentences with rulers, they have multi-colored pens, white-out, and glue handy. It's insane, so I just sit there and free-hand everything. The students are nice, but I'm picking up on the fact that they talk about each other behind their backs a lot. It can be dramatic, but I like watching it unfold- very French. Do not fear, I don't participate(Making us Americans look good). I went to McDonalds with the class the other day and it turns out that they eat SO much. They bought item after item, seeing as a meal wasn't enough. When they finally finished, they said they would have to eat something else at home because they were still hungry! Crazy!
Athletics
I'm starting to run again and I have a bunch of paths I can take. It's really pretty and there are loads of dirt paths with streams. I also went skiing for a week for the first time! I don't feel like elaborating, but it went well! I think the sport is a bit boring though. And guess what?! They have a swing in their yard, which I have been on a million times so far. I just can't resist the urge!
Food:
It's growing on me. I definitely want to emphasize that you should always try things twice! I have tried something and hated it, but tried it again and realized that it tastes better now. So I eat everything, unless it is guacamole! Oh, and cheese is becoming less of an enemy and I look forward eating a new type each day at dinner. Pain(I won't erase it, because I am so happy to realize that I wrote 'pain' instead of 'bread'! 'Pain' is 'bread' in French!!!!) has always been a friend and I eat it 24/7. No complaints there. Oh, and I drink tea all the time, too! And out of a bowl.
In general, I'm getting closer to my family and to the country. It's been over a month, so I'd hope so, but there is a lot more I still need to get used to. I definitely need to become more comfortable with eating when I'm hungry. It's hard understanding when I can have a snack, so I usually stick to eating at meals. Basically, there is a lot I don't understand, but hopefully everything will be cleared up once I improve my French more! Well, anyways, I'm having a great time here and maybe I'll talk about the actual culture soon! But I ran today(with my host mom... and it was hard), so I'm tired. And it's almost dinner time(at 8:00PM), so I'm hungry. Talk soon!
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